PDP Denies Sale of Nomination Forms …Orders New Members Registration

PDP Denies Sale of Nomination Forms …Orders New Members Registration

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says it is yet to commence the sale of forms for any level of election and has directed all state chapters which have sold forms to aspirants for any office for the 2011 elections to stop such exercise.

The party national Publicity Secretary, Prof Rufai Ahmed Alkali in a statement said the party’s National Working Committee after its regular meeting on Wednesday directed any states that had sold the nomination forms to refund such monies forthwith and await guidelines to be released by the national secretariat.

The statement noted that the current membership registration drive was essentially for new entrants into the party, either as decampees from other parties for those who have attained the age of 18 years from the last election.

The statement also said that the exercise covers all those who wish to join the party from all walks of life in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.

It added that old members of the party need not re-register as their membership of the party remains valid while existing membership cards remain valid and are qualified automatically for renewal once the validity date expires.

It also said that no member of the PDP should be deregistered by this exercise, adding that the party remains open to providing a level playing field for all Nigerians to participate in the nation’s political process.

Meanwhile, members of the PDP, especially aspirants for offices in the 2011 elections have been strongly advised to await the publication of guidelines at the appropriate time by the National Secretariat of the party in order not to fall victim of any unauthorized procedure.

Rivers State Government Woos Investors To Grow Agricultural Potential …Ogbunabali Markets Opens For Business

Earlier today, Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike presided over the State Executive Council Meeting at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt.

Rivers state Executive Council has approved the concession of existing agricultural facilities in the state to investors who are interested in bringing their expertise to bear in harnessing the potentials in the sector.

At its meeting held on Thursday, at Government House Port Harcourt, the State Executive Council presided over by the State Governor , Chief Nyesom Wike, said the decision is predicated on the fact that the state is been driven to become the agricultural hub in the south-south region.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Fred Kpakol said such investors will be expected to indicate interest in any of the agricultural facilities existing in the state.

He said there are fish farms and multi-crop school-to- land farms in the 23 local government areas of the state including the Songhai Farms that are now available for investors who want to key into the agricultural programme of the government to achieve food security and generate employment for Rivers people.

The commissioner also said the name of the cassava plant at Afam, Oyigbo local government area of the state has changed to Rivers Cassava Processing Company limited.

Dr. Kpakol said the change became necessary because one of its partners, Datco changed the name it used in 2011 on the contractual agreement, which made it cease to be a recognised entity.

According to him, the equity share holding of the partners in the investment still stands at 70% for Rivers State Government, Datco has 28% and SPDC 2%.

Also addressing journalists after the meeting, the Rivers State Commissioner for health, Professor Princewill Chike said after the index covid-19 case was recorded, the state government had taken measures to contain the spread of the virus in the state.
The success of those measures, he said, is evident in minimal spread seen.

Prof. Chike said the testing capacity of the state has also been boosted with the acquisition of testing machine by the state government, which now aids the collection of more samples daily.

Commissioner for special duties, Dr. Thomas Bariere said council also approved the opening of the Ogbum-nu-abali Fruit Market for daily business activities beginning from Monday, June 8, 2020.

He said all allottees have been issued designated bank accounts into which to pay the required shop allocation fees and any person who failed to pay within the stipulated time will risk losing ownership.

Dr. Bariere stated that all traders and members of the public going to do business at the market must observe all public health and safety standards including the use of face masks.

He said there will be hand washing facilities provided at the entrances of the market for use by people going to do business there, including the use of hand sanitisers and physical distancing must not be compromised.

On his part, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim said council has also approved guidelines to be adopted by members of the public who want to bury their loved ones during this period of covid-19 pandemic.

He urged those who want to bury their loved ones to apply to the ministry of health to obtain the guidelines that has clearly spelt out what they should do and the attendant sanctions to incur should they violate any of the guidelines

The Rivers State Government Decontamination Team last night, in keeping with the directive of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike decontaminated amongs others, three major places in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital.

The Decontamination Team will this night move into other major public places to decontaminate, in line with the directive of the State Governor.

The decontamination exercise which is done mainly in the night, during restriction of human and vehicular movements hours, is the brainchild of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, and birthed by the fact that Coronavirus can last outside its host by 3 hours, 6 hours, 24 hours and 72 hours respectively, depending on the object.

The decontamination comprises of three steps which are carried out simultaneously namely: fumigation of the environments, steam spraying which contains disinfectants that can combat the virus, this will be followed by the disinfectant smoke spray.

Rivers State COVID-19: Committee Begins Another Round Of Street-To-Street Campaign

Chairman of the Rivers State Government Interministarial Committee on COVID-19 Enlightenment, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, has charged Volunteers on COVID-19 Mobile Enlightenment to see themselves as persons recruited to save the lives of people in the State.

Giving the charge on Wednesday, during the inauguration of the Team at the State Secretariat Complex, the Chairman charged the members to view their responsibility in the same spirit as the State Governor, Nyesom Wike, which, he said, is to save lives.

The Chairman, who is also the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, stated that just as the Governor’s primary goal this season is to save lives, they should see their awareness creation on coronavirus as their own contribution to save lives in the State.

“You’re part of the team that will be saving lives, and I pray that God Almighty will help all of you to discharge this duty creditably.

“All of you have been carefully chosen to carry out enlightenment and sensitisation for our State. The task before you is enormous.

“As a State we are recording new cases of coronavirus and the only alternative left for us now is to move from street to street to pass prevention messages to our people.

“You need to let the people know that the virus is with us and that they must practice social distancing, wearing of face mask and maintenance of personal hygiene,” he said.

Nsirim advised that people who have the symptoms of the virus which include dry cough, high temperature, loss of taste, body weakness and difficulty in breathing should seek medical attention.

According to him, people should not be afraid of the symptoms of the disease because it is not a death sentence.

“Our Governor has shown the right leadership. In fact, there’s no State in this country where a Governor has spearheaded the fight against coronavirus like our Governor has done.

“Our Governor has committed his time and resources of the state to make sure that Rivers State,” he added.